Evelyn Ren

How does representation in media affect people’s perceptions of themselves and others? (particularly in intergroup contents)

Started June 24, 2026

Abstract or project description

Every day, people consume a lot of content from various sources of media, such as social media, television, movies, news outlets, and advertisements. This has differing effects on how they see the world, how they see themselves, and what actions they take because of it. In this project, I will review existing literature on different kinds of media representation and look at how they influence individuals’ perceptions of themselves and others. In particular, I will consider whether the individual being a part of the represented group or not changes these effects. I will be looking at a variety of representations. I will conclude with a discussion on how media representation can help combat prejudice and improve intergroup relations.